Cable tensioning device



Feb. 21, 1950 s. DYK

CABLE TENSIONING DEVICE 3 SheetsSheet 1 Filed Oct. 10, 1947 Simon Dyk Feb. 21, 1950 mm 2,498,603

CABLE TENSIONING DEVICE Filed Oct. 10, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 wi may 8M Feb. 21, 1950 s, DYK 2,498,603

CABLE TENSIONING DEVICE Filed Oct. 10, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Feb. 21, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CABLE TENSIONING DEVICE Simon Dyk, Manhattan, Mont.

Application October 10, 1947, Serial No. 779,098

6 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements and structural refinements in' tensioning devices for cables, more specifically, cables such as are commonly employed for controlling the operation of tractor-drawn agricultural implements, and the principal object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herein described which will maintain the control cable in a taut condition, so that it may be readily grasped and actuated by the driver of the tractor, without the previously experienced inconvenience of the driver having to pull the cable for some distance in order to take up the slack therein, before actuation itself could be effected.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cable tensioning device which will readily adjust itself so as to accommodate draw bars of various lengths (between the drawing and drawn implement) and which embodies in its construction what may be referred to as a safety release of the cable in the event that the draw bar becomes accidentally or unintentionally disconnected.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cable tensioning device which is simple in construction, instantaneous in response to actuation on the cable, and which may be easily and quickly attached to tractors and other similar pieces of agricultural implements.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a cable tensioning device which will readily lend itself to economical manufacture and which is otherwise well adapted for the purpose for which it is intended.

With the above more important objects in View, and such other objects as may become apparent as this specification proceeds, the invention consists essentially of the arrangement and construction of parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevatinal view of a tractor and a drawn implement, showing the invention associated therewith;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the invention per se, the same having the cover thereof removed, so as to reveal its construction;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tensioning device per se;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 4-4 in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a reel used in the invention;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view, similar to that shown in Figure 3, but illustrating a modified embodiment of the invention, and

Figure '7 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 'l--'! in Figure 6.

Like characters of reference are used to designate like parts in the specification and throughout the several views.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, more specifically to Figures 1-5 inclusively, the invention consists of a cable tensioning device designated generally by the reference character I0, the same being adapted for use in association with a drawing implement, such as for example, a tractor H, and a drawn implement of any suitable type, indicated at l2, which is connected to the tractor H by means of a suitable draw bar I 3.

The implement I2 is controlled or actuated by means of a lever M which, in accordance with existing practice, is provided with a loose or slack cable 15, as 'shown in Figure 1. However, in existing practice, the forward end of this cable is attached to some portion of the framework of the tractor H, such as for example, the seat support 16, and by turning around somewhat and pulling the cable [5 upwardly in the direction of the arrow l1, the driver of the tractor I 1 controls or actuates the implement l2 by tripping the lever l4 in the direction l8, as will be clearly understood, Inasmuch as the cable IS, in conventional practice, must necessarily be slack so as to allow the two implements to negotiate curves, or the like, considerable lost motion exists in the direction of the arrow [1 (upon the drivers actuation of the cable l5) before movement of the trip lever I4 is effected.

As aforesaid, it is the primary purpose of the instant invention to eliminate this slackness by providing the tensioning device [0 which includes in its construction a drum-shaped housing l9, rigidly secured by means of a mounting bracket to some portion of the framework of .the tractor, preferably the seat support 16.

The drum-shaped framework or housing I9 is open at one end thereof and is formed at its open end, for purposes of reinforcement, with an annular bead 2|, while its remaining end is closed as at 22. A cover 23 is adapted for removable positioning on the open end of the housing I9, for which purpose the cover is provided with a perimetric flange 24 formed with a series of spaced parallel slots or notches 25 which define a plurality of resilient tongues 26. This is best illustrated in the accompanying Figure 2, and it will be apparent that when the cover 23 is installed in position, the tongues 26 will frictionally engage the aforementioned bead 2!, so that removable retention of the cover on the housing is facilitated.

One end of a length of chain 21 may be secure to the housing, while the remaining end of the chain is secured to the cover, so as to prevent the latter from becoming accidentally misplaced or lost.

The closed end 22 as well as the cover 23are formed with diametrically aligned, centrally disposed bosses 28, 23 respectively, which provide bearings for a shaft 30 of a Winding reel designated generally by the reference character 31'.

This reel also includes a pair of'side flanges 32, 33, the latter being provided with a substantially radial slot 34 which extends inwardly from the perimetric or circumferential edge of the flange 33, as is best shown in Figures 4 and 5. The function of this slot will be hereinafter more fully described.

A. spiral spring 35 is also associated with the reel 3!, one end of. this spring being. secured in a diametrically extending slot 36 formed in the shaft 38, while the remaining end'of the spring is suitably secured to the inner surface of the housing it, as indicated at 31.. The spring '35 is pre-wound, so to speak, in such manner that it normally urges the 'reel' 3| to rotate in the direction of the arrow 33, thereby tending to wind the aforementioned cable l upon the reel,

or more specifically, upon the shaft 33 of the reel, as will be readily understood.

The cable l5 enters the housing l9 throug the: medium of a slot 39 which extends longitudinally in. the lateral wall ofthe'housing, as is best shown in Figures 2 and 4.

After being wound around the shaft 30. of the reel 3i the cable i5 passes through theaforementioned slot 34, and the end portion 40 of the cable is releaseably secured tothe flange 33 of. the reel by means of: a clamp 41 with which the outer surface of the flange 33 is. provided.

However, before being secured under the clamp M, the end portion 30 of the cable passes over a leaf spring 32, one end of which is secured to the. flange 33 as. at 43, while itsv remaining end bears against a radially projectable dog 4%.

This dog is slidably mounted (by means of the slots 45' and retaining pins 46) on the flange 33,

the spring 32' normally urging the dog 44 outwardly, so that as the reel 3% rotates, the dog will engage the slot 33 m the drum l3, and one longitudinal edge of the slot (33) will function as an effective stop, whereby further rotation of the reel will be prevented.

However, it should be noted that this stopping action occurs only in the absence of: the cable 15, that is to say, as long as the inner end portion ifl'ofthe cable engages the spring 42, the dog 44 is not permitted to engage the slot 39, and rotation of the'reel 3i remains unrestricted. In this connection, it should be explained thatthe outer end portion of the spring 32 is rigidly secured by tion, so that when the operator of the tractor pulls the cable in the direction .of the arrow I1, the lever 14 will be instantly actuated, rather than a considerable portion of the actuating movement being lost in the take-up of slackness which was previously encountered when the forward end portion of the cable was attached directly to the tractor.

Needless to say, the spring will facilitate rotation of the reel 3| to such extent that the draw' bar l3 may have any desired length, without impairing the cable tensioning efficiency of the device, as already described.

- Moreover, if the draw bar 53 should become accidentally or unintentionally disconnected from the tractor H (or from the implement l2 as .the case maybe), the frictional engagement of the clamp 41 with the inner end of the cable #5 is such as to permit the reel 3| to unwind, whereupon the cable portion 40 will be automatically released from the clamp- 4 i so that the drawn implement l2 may come to a stop, while the tractor it may continue its forward movement.

In this manner, not only will the breakage of the cable l5 be prevented and damage which the entire tensioning device would otherwise sustain be eliminated, but full winding of the reel 3! will be effectively prevented, such as would otherwise occur under the influence of the spring 35.

That is to say, in the instance. of the disconnection of the draw bar 53, the reel M will bev unwound by the unwinding cable, so that when.

the end 40 of the cable l5 ultimately becomes released fromthe clamp 4!, the resiliency of the spring 32 will project the dog 44 outwardly into engagement with the slot 33, so that rotation of the reel 3i under the resiliency of the spring 35- will be prevented.

Thereupon, after the draw bar i3 has been. Ice-connected, the cable It may bereapplied tothe reel 3!, without the. necessity of rotating the.

7 reel in order to properly adjust the tension of the spring 35.

Referring now to the modified embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying Figures 6 and 7, the same is identical to the embodiment already described, with exception that it includes means for preventing the unwinding of the cable l5 from the reel when the leverv Id of the implement I2 is to be actuated.

That is to say, by observing the illustration in Figure 1, it will be apparent that when the cable. I5 is pulled in the direction of the arrow H to actuate the lever M, a tendency will exist to unwind the cable from the reel in the housing I!) as well as to actuate the lever M, which tendency, if carried to an extreme, would result in the unwinding of the reel, without any actuation of thelever [4.

To eliminate this possible inefficiency or lost motion, the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7 is provided with a check mechanism designated generally by the reference character 53 which is housed in the frame work or drum it.

In this embodiment, the reel 5! is similar to the aforementioned reel 3i, comprising the-spiral spring 52, a shaft 53 and a pair of flanges 5t, 55. One of these flanges (55) is equipped with the slot 33, the spring t2 and the radially projectable dog 44, as in the embodiment already described.

However, the flange 54 of the reel 5! is formed witha plurality of teeth 58, so that. it assumes the function of a ratchet, while a coacting pawl 51 is rigidly secured to a rod or shaft 58,. rotatably' journaled in the end wall 22 of the housing I!) and in a bracket 59 with which the housing is provided as is best shown in Figure 6.

It should be noted that the shaft 58 is disposed adjacent the opening or slot 39 of the housing and a portion of the surface of the shaft (58) is knurled as at 69, for a purpose hereinafter to be more fully described.

A coil spring BI is also provided on the shaft 58, one end of this spring being secured to the shaft as at 62, while the remaining end of the spring is anchored to the housing l9, as at 63. The function of the spring 6| is to normally urge the pawl 51 out of engagement with the ratchet teeth 56 of the flange 54, so that unrestricted rotation of the reel 5| will be facilitated.

When this embodiment of the invention is placed in use, the pulling of the cable H5 in the direction of the arrow I! will result in the engagement of the cable with the knurled portion 68 of the shaft 58, whereby the pawl 51 will be brought in engagement with the ratchet teeth 56, against the resiliency of the spring 6|.

As a result, unwinding of the reel 5| will be effectively prevented, so that the pulling force exerted upon the cable 15 in the direction of the arrow [1 will be most effectively utilized in actuating the lever 14, without the possibility of unwinding the cable l5 from the reel 5!, as will be clearly understood.

Needless to say, as soon as the pulling force upon the cable I5 is relaxed, the spring 6| Will disengage the pawl 51 from the ratchet teeth 56, and unrestricted rotation of the reel 5| will be facilitated.

It is believed that the advantages and use of the invention will be clearly understood from the foregoing disclosure and accordingly, further description thereof at this point is deemed unnecessary.

While in the foregoing there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of this invention it is to be understood that minor changes in the details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A cable tensioning device, comprising a. frame, a reel rotatably mounted in said frame and including a side flange formed with a recess, a spiral spring operatively connected to said reel, and a spring-pressed dog projectably mounted on said flange, said frame forming a stop engageable by said dog, said reel being adapted for the winding of a cable thereon, said cable passing through said recess and operatively engaging said dog.

2. The device as defined in claim 1 together with a clamp secured to said flange and frictionally engaging an end portion of said cable.

.3. A cable tensioning devica, comprising a drum-shaped housing formed with a longitudinally extending slot, a reel rotatably mounted in said housing and including a side flange provided with a recess, a spiral spring connected at one end thereof to said reel and at its remaining end to said housing, a radially projectable dog slidably mounted on said flange and a leaf spring urging said dog in engagement with said slot, said reel being adapted for the winding of a cable thereon, said cable passing through said recess and engaging said leaf spring whereby said dog is normally retained in a retracted position.

4. The device as defined in claim 3 together with cable actuated means for preventing un- Winding of said reel independently of the engagement of said dog with said slot.

5. The device as defined in claim 3 together with a ratchet provided on said reel, a coacting pawl pivoted in said housing, resilient means for normally disengaging said pawl from said ratchet, and an actuating member provided on said pawl, said member being engageable by said cable.

6. A cable tensioning device comprising in combination, a drum-shaped housing formed with a longitudinally extending slot, a reel rotatably mounted in said housing and including a pair of side flanges, one of said flanges being provided with a recess, a spiral spring connected at one end thereof to said reel and at its remaining end to said housing, a radially projectable dog slidably mounted on the recessed flange, a leaf spring urging said dog in engagement with said slot, said reel being adapted for the winding of a cable thereon, said cable passing through said recess and engaging said spring, the remaining of said flanges constituting a ratchet, a coacting pawl pivoted in said housing, resilient means for normally disengaging said pawl from said ratchet, and an actuating member provided on said pawl, said member being engageable by said cable.

SIMON DYK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 64,319 Hubbell Apr. 30, 1867 875,280 McGarin Dec. 31, 1907 938,359 Wedell Oct. 26, 1909 1,683,306 Ryan et a1 Sept. 4, 1928 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 282,529 Great Britain Dec. 29, 1927 

